New Year Soaping Resolutions

[starduster]

Have you got your 2009 SOAPING RESOLUTIONS ready.
For me,
To get better and better at this soaping adventure.
To start my Gypsy Soap trips sometime during this year.
To keep all my soap making ingredients neatly and logically so I know my inventory of ingredients with an eye sweep.
To continue to have fun soaping and never loose the magic of it.
To make even more special soaping friends
I want to keep my mind open to aspects of soaping that are way off my usual radar.
To spread the "Hand made Natural Soaps are the only way to go", message.
:idea: :idea: :idea:

 

[Dalziel]

to build up the courage to make my first CP batch. I have all the equipment- digital scale, stick blender, stainless steel pots, molds, even some starter oils such as castor, shea butter, coconut 76, and safflower oil- some others as well as the lye.

I have been doing m&p and they came out nice. Getting my color and fragrance combos set, and Reading Reading and Reading any and every book I can get my hands on.

Its that first step that has me a bit nervous.

I have posted some questions on here about the first batch I have in mind, and all the replies I have gotten have been great. I think i am almost set with my first trial run recipe.

So my new years resolution is: To Make That First Batch!

-----------
Dalz

 

[starduster]

All soaped up

Hi Dalziel,
Wonderful new years resolution.
Reading it made me think because soaping is such a massive undertaking ,really.I mean you just don't pop to the store and buy your self an instant soap success kit. There is all that research that you mentioned and every soaper does that before ever making their first batch. Soap makers make a huge commitment in the researching and safety area before mixing lye and oils for the first time.
It is with almost religeous fervour that a soap maker constructs his / her Soaping experience. Hense I think soaping probably does pull in a very strong person into it's web of wonder. Consequently soapers then cotinue to strive always to improve on each batch . There never really is a time when a soaper could slip into auto drive and get bored as the messed up soaps would trigger that search and improve attitude all over again.
Also the packaging and marketing create and even greater need for total focus.
May I just add, you will be fine. No soapers ,so far as I know have slipped on a bad batch of bubbles and then were never heard of again.

Here's Soaping you kid. :wink:

 

[Jaaret]

Soapmaking Resolutions

Nice topic! My 2009 soapmaking resolutions are:
- Branch out into new soap shapes by constructiong my own molds
- Inventory my supplies as I buy them so I can better track soap costs
- Try new ingredients that I've never used like aloe vera, yogurt and coconut milk
- Relax and prepare more thoroughly so I'm not frantically sifting ground oatmeal and mixing essential oils when the batch begins to trace
- Prepare a pamphlet on what's in my soaps and what each ingredient contributes to the finished bars
- Create unique gift sets for the 2009 holidays.

 

[Lindy]

Great thread! Thanks Mary....

For 2009 my goals are:

• - create and follow a business plan;
  - sell every weekend at malls, craft fairs & farmer's markets throughout the Sunshine Coast & Vancouver Island;
  - specialize my line of products to a signature line which is recognizable as mine;
  - increase my wholesale accounts;
  - work with government programs to help fund & grow my business

And most importantly - for me personally - to continue to evolve as an individual and as a soap maker.

Cheers
Lindy

 

[carebear]

clean and organize the garage
sell off all the stuff I don't need
soap more often

 

[starduster]

Re: Soapmaking Resolutions

Nice topic! My 2009 soapmaking resolutions are:
- Branch out into new soap shapes by constructiong my own molds
- Inventory my supplies as I buy them so I can better track soap costs
- Try new ingredients that I've never used like aloe vera, yogurt and coconut milk
- Relax and prepare more thoroughly so I'm not frantically sifting ground oatmeal and mixing essential oils when the batch begins to trace
- Prepare a pamphlet on what's in my soaps and what each ingredient contributes to the finished bars
- Create unique gift sets for the 2009 holidays.

Really great list. Do you have http://www.soapmaker.ca/SMhome.htm
it's amazing all that it covers.
I agree with you on the relaxing and preparing well before starting. It seems to be a matter of more haste less speed.
The thing is also , I believe Soap making to be a very creative process so that taking it easy before starting and throughly dreaming up the end result and also mentally picturing each step , not the least being you wandering around with a cheshire grin when your soaps are cut up and on display is a critical part of soap that makes a statement. I think mine purr sometimes. Best of luck .

 

[Lindy]

I have and love that program. I bought the Pro version so I keep track of inventory. Thankls for recommending it.

Cheers
Linda

 

[starduster]

Busy Busy lady

I have and love that program. I bought the Pro version so I keep track of inventory. Thankls for recommending it.

Cheers
Linda

What a line up you have for this year.You will do it.
Would'nt it be fun to check back in and see how we are all going in a few months.
Cheers to you too.
Mary

 

[Jaaret]

Re: Soapmaking Resolutions

Do you have http://www.soapmaker.ca/SMhome.htm
it's amazing all that it covers.

Hadn't heard of that program. I'm a developer myself and have built my own program for tracking recipes and costs. I'm always looking for ways to improve it.

 

[Tabitha]

To narrow my scent selection.

To come up with a better & quicker shipping system.

To make transactions with my customers feel more personal IE) handwritten thank you notes, personal shipping notices, etc.

 

[starduster]

Re: Soapmaking Resolutions

Do you have http://www.soapmaker.ca/SMhome.htm
it's amazing all that it covers.

Hadn't heard of that program. I'm a developer myself and have built my own program for tracking recipes and costs. I'm always looking for ways to improve it.

Jaaret Your own program is probably excellent. I have no doupt and I don't get anything for mentioning the other program .I am a computor Dummy except when it comes to graphics, that being my love helped me to pick up on other computor stuff.I have sons and brothers who work in programing and developing so sometimes they pick up my slack.
What I am wondering for you is that program is available for $69.00 US. for the proffessional one which seems to me is a pretty dam good price. I don't know what stage you are up to with yours but was thinking that maybe you could shelve it for a while and use the other one. My point being that I bet when you start tinkering on yours time flies and you get lost in it for hours.
Forgive me if I am wrong on that one.
I mention this because I see that one of your other intentions is to develope your own signature line of soaps. That takes more fuzzy thinking than logical computor programming and if you set that extra time just for one year to swish up your soap styles and content you may find it easier on your self than switching right / left brain during that time.
Also this way you could drown yourself in the tactile creation process coming out with a product in tune with what your market will resonate with and snap up.

Little do I know where you really are at with all this so it is just a thought.
Mary :idea: :idea: :idea:

 

[starduster]

Simplification , clarification

To narrow my scent selection.

To come up with a better & quicker shipping system.

To make transactions with my customers feel more personal IE) handwritten thank you notes, personal shipping notices, etc.

Ahh that is so beautiful. I wish there was a rose emoticon to put on your answer.
It is amazing but this ever lengthening list of other peoples affirmations are the darndist good ideas I have ever seen and am adding them to my list.
:idea: :idea: :idea:

 

[Bunny]

Reading it made me think because soaping is such a massive undertaking ,really.

Soapmaking...it's not for sissies.

My resolution is not much different than everyone elses: make more soap. Make better soap. Get more organized. Get rid of some crap. Possibly move yet again, etc, etc.

 

[ChrissyB]

I, too, really need to have a good clean out of my soaping supplies. I am sure that there are things in that box that I haven't gotten out for a while. I need to talk my hubby into letting me have a quiet corner of the garage to store my stuff so that it is easily accessible and viewable, I want to walk in there and see my stuff so I know what I need, and what I've got.
I need to develop a better curing rack with more space, I have things curing all over the place, cupboards, shelves, everywhere.
I need to start labelling,and packaging, and this is the year for me to start selling my soap, I said this last year but I need to take a leap of faith and just do it!! What's the worst that could happen, nobody buys my soap? Not so bad, more leftover for me!!
And just a little quick note, my sister has never used soap to wash her face, until I made some and gave to her, and told her all the differences between store soap and handmade, and all the benefits...anyway now she uses my soap to wash her face and loves it. And my teenage son's skin is really clearing up quickly, I made him a soap with bentonite clay, aloe vera and tea tree, the difference is amazing. So I guess another New Years Resolution is the sing from the rooftops about how good handmade soap is!!
And I also need to start experimenting more with mixing my own scents, have never done that!!

 

[starduster]

and move ?

Reading it made me think because soaping is such a massive undertaking ,really.

Soapmaking...it's not for sissies.

My resolution is not much different than everyone elses: make more soap. Make better soap. Get more organized. Get rid of some crap. Possibly move yet again, etc, etc.

and move ????Your a hero.
But then that takes care of dusting the shelves.
:wink:

 

[starduster]

Live , breath .... soap

I need to develop a better curing rack with more space, I have things curing all over the place, cupboards, shelves, everywhere.

So I guess another New Years Resolution is the sing from the rooftops about how good handmade soap is!!
And I also need to start experimenting more with mixing my own scents, have never done that!!

:idea: I have my eyes on a second hand very tall many shelved cake rack for curing. I had better go and get it. I found out about it by asking a Cheff about cake racks.

Now as for you singing from the roof Tops , can we be your chorus, with the volume turned down in may case. :wink:

 

[Cattleyabubbles]

Get a better gasp of the fatty acids in oils; so I can make my first batch of CP soap and come up with some fascinating bar recipes.

 

[Jaaret]

Re: Soapmaking Resolutions

I don't know what stage you are up to with yours but was thinking that maybe you could shelve it for a while and use the other one. My point being that I bet when you start tinkering on yours time flies and you get lost in it for hours.
Forgive me if I am wrong on that one.
I mention this because I see that one of your other intentions is to develope your own signature line of soaps. That takes more fuzzy thinking than logical computor programming

Thank you for your observations, Starduster! I really appreciate your insights.

I have a unique skill set: I originally studied graphic design and did that for several years. Programming came later and I love how it engages both my creativity and problem solving faculties. The combination keeps both my left and right brain engaged.

Over the years I have found that I gravitate towards precision oriented hobbies like origami, database building and soapmaking. Precision is the common denominator for all three of those activities. When I don't want to think that hard I head outdoors and garden!

 

[topcat]

Starduster said:

To keep all my soap making ingredients neatly and logically so I know my inventory of ingredients with an eye sweep

I can so relate to that one!!!

My resolution is to continue to evolve and learn as a human being, helping others to achieve their potential greatness, whatever that may be for them. Soaping - a wonderful creative endeavour - has very quickly solidified all I have learned and believe about life in just a few short months. About stepping out in faith, living in the moment (being present), perseverance, positive mental and emotional attitudes and achievement ('what you can conceive and believe you will achieve').

Tanya